Our editor shared with us a letter that was sent to the publisher of the local daily newspaper, which is called The Republican (I kid you not). He was sharing it with us to show how a lot of local people feel about that paper, which is the only daily in Springfield.

The opening line is, "Your endorsement of the McCain Palin candidacy shows your biased, racist underbelly as a narrow minded chicken farmer from Parkin Arkansas." (sic)

It then goes on to point out that Springfield is diverse city, and as a monopoly they have shown not only a biased viewpoint, but have consistently backed and condoned the most corrupt officials in the area. It's pretty blunt. It says that they have not served this city well, and the writer and her circle of friends are all cancelling their subscriptions.

Oh, and it's written on Springfield Library and Museums Association stationery.

They also did their homework, citing circulation statistics. They cc'd us, the Valley Advocate (the local arts weekly), and all three local TV stations. Heh.

It's interesting that our circulation hasn't dropped at all. We're weekly, and free, and feature a lot of local news. That other paper has increasingly used syndicated stories and columns, and gutted its staff (just ask ami_1).

While I was writing this, the phone rang, and a woman asked me how many family rooms there are in the White House. Really. They call us for everything. I told her I couldn't imagine why she thought we would know that, and she said "because you're a newspaper." Um, yeah. 'Cause that makes perfect sense. o_O

Anyhoo, I found the letter to be interesting, and I wonder how many other people feel that way.

Oh, and she also says, "You will find that Barack Obama has the intelligence, good judgement, temperment and common sense with outstanding communication skills to be a great president." (sic)

Good for her. *g*

Today is Imbolc, the feast of Brigid and the halfway point of winter. It's been overcast all day, which according to folklore means we'll get an early spring. It's a good time to clean out the old, so to speak, and is probably the origin of spring cleaning. I'm definitely feeling the urge to clean out; all I need to do is find the time! And, of course, the ambition, which is just as hard to come by.

Tonight is the coven celebration, along with the Comfort Foods feast, for which I am obligated to make meatloaf. This is not a difficult obligation to fulfill, as I do love a good meatloaf. justjanus has promised to make mashed potatoes to go with.

I came across an interesting article about the newspaper industry and its problems; unfortunately, it doesn't offer much in the way of solutions, except for what the industry should have done. 20/20 hindsight and all that.

Anyhoo, happy Imbolc, or Groundhog Day, or just February 2nd!